Prospect of a new town is daunting, say residents

Sam Loader and Sue Fowler say Wychavon Town needs the infrastructure first

People living close to the site of proposed new town have called it daunting and said they want to see the infrastructure in place first.

Plans have been revealed for Wychavon Town, a new 10,000 home settlement in Worcestershire, close to the Parkway station.

It comes with designs for a town centre with shops, employment land, several schools, parks and a healthcare centre, with Homes England, the government's housing and regeneration agency, asking for public feedback.

The plan is to get half the new town built by 2041, with the rest following later.

Sue Fowler, who lives nearby, said: "There's a lot that needs to be addressed before they put that many houses close by.

"We need to see the infrastructure in place before they start on the houses - what about extending the hospital, for example?

Cafe worker Sam Loader said: "It feels like everywhere around here has done an awful lot already with new housing - Pershore, Drakes Broughton, Malvern as well - they've all done 'their bit'.

"It's a bit daunting trying to envisage how it's going to actually look and how it's going to be."

Wychavon District Council said the development would have 'a strong sense of community'

Village has mixed views

Villagers in Norton, close to the railway station were asked about the prospect.

"At the end of the day we have got a growing population, so we do need the houses, Sam Freemantle, who works in IT, said.

Pensioner Colin Peters said he did not think it was a suitable location for such a big development.

"Look at Evesham - it's dramatically increased in size in recent years and the roads can't cope," he said.

Sarah Busby, a teacher, said: "We don't have the infrastructure in place to handle more homes, so in that sense a new town from scratch might be better than asking areas like Pershore to carry on expanding."

Wychavon District Council said the town would have lots of green space

A website has been created showing how the town will look, with Wychavon District Council asking for views.

Homes England is also wants the public to help shape the vision for it., and want the public to help shape the vision for it.

Two outline planning applications are set to be submitted next year, with the council insisting the infrastructure will be in place.

Emma Kearsey, Wychavon's executive board member for planning, infrastructure and urban design, said: "Wychavon Town being infrastructure-led means we're putting responsibility and long-term thinking at the heart of this project."